As we approach the dawn of 2024, the world of Electronic Music is buzzing with anticipation for the extraordinary experiences the coming year holds. Reflecting on the myriad milestone moments and unforgettable releases that graced the genre in 2023, we find ourselves eagerly awaiting the promises of 2024 to unfold, promising even more excitement for enthusiasts of this dynamic musical realm.
The talented Producer and DJ Tensteps was an artist who no doubt had a memorable year; among the highlights was the long-anticipated release of his debut album ‘Infinite’ which brought a host of stellar collaborations, shining a light on his powerful signature style and impressive production talents. Now, Tensteps is joining us to look ahead to 2024, giving us a sneak peek into his plans and intentions for the upcoming year.
What’s one personal goal you have set for yourself in the upcoming year, and what steps have you taken to achieve it?
I’d like to try and get myself healthier. For a few months this year, I was doing good at getting to the gym, but life got in the way and I sort of let that fall off. So, I’m working to get back into a routine to drop some weight and just generally be more active and healthy.
Can you share an achievement or accomplishment from the past year that you’re most proud of and why?
Releasing my album was huge for me. That was over two years of work, and it felt so good to finally have it out in the world for people to hear.
What’s a new skill or hobby you’re planning to explore in the new year, and what motivated you to pursue it?
Flying a plane! I’ve become super into aviation this year, I think as a byproduct of travelling so much that I started to get curious about the behind-the-scenes side of it. I just did an introductory flight lesson last week and it was so much fun, I’m seriously considering pursuing a pilot’s license in 2024.
What’s the most exciting project or initiative you have on your radar for the upcoming year, and what impact do you hope it will have?
I’m switching up a lot of my sound from what people know me for. I teased some of that at my show this past weekend in Vancouver, and people said they weren’t expecting it, but were really into it. So, I hope that’s the broader consensus as well, and that people are open-minded enough to give it a shot!
Reflecting on the past year, what’s one lesson you’ve learned that you intend to carry with you into the new year?
Persistence is key. You cannot truly succeed in anything without pursuing it relentlessly.
How do you plan to strike a better work-life balance in the upcoming year to improve your overall well-being?
I actually think my work-life balance works pretty well for me, given the nature of what I do. The fact that I can go travelling for example but work on music on the plane or in the hotel room at night is quite nice. If anything, sometimes I feel like I need to step up the “work” part of the work-life balance haha. I occasionally feel like I’m not being quite as productive as I could be, but that’s because of what I said before about relentless pursuit and persistence. I feel the need to constantly be pushing to do more and be better.
Can you share your top three New Year’s resolutions? Please explain why they are important to you.
I’ve honestly never been big on resolutions. The reality is the new year changes nothing, you have to make changes yourself. Of course, I have goals I want to hit in 2024, but I wouldn’t call those New Year’s resolutions because they’re totally independent of the New Year, they’re just things I want to make happen. Things like playing more shows, getting better at producing within my revamped sound, and improving my health, are all just goals I have that I need to work towards regardless of what year it is.
Can you name a book, movie, or experience from the past year that had a significant impact on you, and why?
The coolest experience for me was playing the run of tour dates earlier this year with Andrew Rayel. That really opened my eyes to some of the realities of touring and playing for different crowds every night, and how each crowd has a personality of its own. Houston will react differently to a set than LA does, and they’re different from Portland which is different from Orlando. That’s why a good DJ won’t play the exact same set every night because the reaction of the crowd to that set might be completely different in different markets.
In what ways do you hope to grow and develop personally and professionally in the next 12 months?
I’m trying to be a bit more regimented. With everything going on in my life, I need some sort of organization and structure to be able to make sure I get everything done that needs to be done. So, I’m working hard to identify ways to build up that structure and ensure that things run as smoothly as possible.
If you could choose one word or phrase to represent your theme for the new year, what would it be, and why does it resonate with you?
Determined. Never before have I felt so determined and empowered to absolutely crush whatever it is I’m setting my mind to. Whether it’s learning to fly a plane or growing my music career, I can see the steps I need to take and what I’ll need to do to ultimately reach where I want to go.
As we end our interview with Tensteps, we thank him for sharing with us his plans for 2024, and with such an exciting year ahead, we cannot wait to follow along with him as he continues to take Electronic Music by storm. So, be sure to follow Tensteps across social media to stay up-to-date with his upcoming releases, projects, and live shows.
Follow Tensteps: Website | Instagram | Soundcloud | Beatport
